JULY is the month of transition for birds as we see the first arrivals of species that have nested further north and our own breeding birds start to make the long journey to their wintering areas.

Swifts are one of the most obvious early migrants and they often gather together to feed-up before heading south. Because of the cloudy conditions in late July which kept birds at low altitude these large feeding flocks were particularly visible this year. I received a number of reports of flocks of up to 100 birds and there was a spectacular gathering around the avenue of cherry trees on the A684 near Northallerton with upwards of 300 birds on one occasion.

Young birds away from their breeding areas are also noticeable as they start to prospect away from nesting sites. Yellow Wagtails were reported from areas well away from their usual breeding sites and I have had a number of calls about Warblers seen in gardens. I had five Willow Warblers in my own rather small cottage garden and I have also had reports of Chiffchaff, Blackcaps and Lesser Whitethroats. Best find was a fine young Redstart which was seen in the hedges along the railway near Yafforth.

Waders were also on the move with typical early sightings of Green Sandpipers at a number of sites and these were joined by small numbers of Greenshank with a peak count of four at Nosterfield. The usual post-breeding flock of Curlews in the Bolton-on-Swale area attracted around 300 birds and there were also Black-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel seen on the reserve.

Scarcer waders included a summer-plumaged Knot at Pepper Arden and another Knot, Sanderling and Turnstone at Nosterfield.

Other sightings of note in the Nosterfield area included Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls, two Little Gulls, up to five Common Tern, Osprey, Peregrine, Goshawk and Hobby.

There were also a number of sightings of Hobby in the Ainderby Steeple/Scruton area. This has involved both adult and juvenile birds and may well point to the species having nested in this area. With only one previous known local breeding attempt this would be very exciting news if confirmed.

Looking ahead to August, this should see wader migration in full swing. Nosterfield and Bolton-on-Swale reserves are usually the most productive areas but sites such as Marfield Quarry, on the outskirts of Masham, and the lovely shallow lake at Pepper Arden are also excellent. Virtually any area of water can attract waders in the right conditions, for instance I once saw two Green Sandpipers in a muddy puddle on a building site, so its also worth checking the shingle and sandbanks of the local rivers and the margins of the reservoirs at Thornton Steward and Leighton.

Autumn waders are usually the best chance for finding a genuine local rarity and with species such as Broad-billed Sandpiper, American golden Plover and Baird's Sandpipers seen in recent years anything might turn up. If you are lucky enough to stumble across some transatlantic visitor just remember to call me first!